Educated Other than at School
What is EOTAS/EOTIS?
EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) provides an essential alternative for children and young people who face barriers to attending traditional school settings. This provision of education enables learners to receive tailored support and education that meets their specific needs, empowering them to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
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At Bridge Mentoring CIC, we are proud to be an autistic-led Community Interest Company (CIC) driven by lived experience and professional expertise. Our team understands, first-hand, the challenges that children and families can encounter in navigating the education system. This personal insight allows us to create a supportive environment grounded in empathy and understanding.
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In addition, our team members hold postgraduate qualifications across various fields (in areas such as education, autism research, social science and humanities) bringing a wealth of knowledge and evidence-based practices to our mentoring and tutoring programmes. Combining lived experience with academic proficiency ensures that our services are not only compassionate but also effective in addressing the diverse needs of our learners.
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Our goal is simple, to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and grow in a way that respects their individuality and unique strengths. Through our EOTAS mentoring and tutoring programmes, we aim to empower students, strengthen families, and build brighter futures for all our students and their families.
Our Mentoring Offer
Our mentoring services are a cornerstone of support for EOTAS students, offering tailored, one-on-one guidance to help them navigate the unique challenges they face in their education and personal lives. Our mentors work closely with students to create a nurturing, safe environment where they feel understood, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Emotional Wellbeing Support: Our mentors recognise that many EOTAS students may be dealing with anxiety, low confidence, or other emotional challenges. By building trust and fostering a positive rapport, mentors help students develop resilience, improve self-esteem, and learn healthy coping strategies for managing stress and emotions.
Personalised Goal Setting: Mentors collaborate with students to set realistic and achievable goals that align with their academic, personal, and emotional needs. This approach helps students build a sense of purpose, stay motivated, and celebrate their progress.
Overcoming Barriers to Learning: EOTAS students often face unique obstacles in their education, whether due to neurodivergence, mental health concerns, or past experiences. Our mentors provide practical strategies and tools to help students overcome these barriers, making learning accessible and enjoyable.
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Advocacy and Guidance: Mentors act as advocates for students, liaising with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. This collaborative approach ensures holistic support tailored to each individual.
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Skill-Building for Independence: Mentors equip students with essential life skills, including time management, organisation, and communication. By fostering independence, we prepare students for future success, both academically and beyond.
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A Non-Judgemental Safe Space: Above all, our mentors provide a judgement-free environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their potential. Every mentoring relationship is built on empathy, respect, and understanding.
Our Tutoring Offer
Our tutoring services at Bridge, are designed to support EOTAS students in achieving their full academic potential through personalised and flexible learning plans. We understand that every student has unique needs, challenges, and strengths, and our approach is tailored to meet them effectively and compassionately.
Tailored Curriculum: Each student’s learning programme is customised to align with their academic goals, abilities, and interests. Our tutors use individualised strategies to ensure the curriculum is both accessible and engaging, helping students build confidence in their learning.
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Subject Expertise: Our team of tutors has expertise across a wide range of subjects, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction in core areas like maths, English, and science, as well as in other subjects that spark their curiosity or align with their future aspirations.
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Flexible Learning Environment: Recognising that traditional classroom settings don’t work for every learner, we offer tutoring in comfortable, non-traditional environments—whether it’s online or in a location (where available - currently the midlands) that suits the student. This flexibility allows students to learn at their own pace without pressure.
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Support for Neurodivergent Students: Our tutors are highly skilled in working with neurodivergent learners, including those with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent and cooccurring conditions. By incorporating evidence-based techniques and understanding the unique needs of each student, we create a supportive and inclusive space for learning.
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Building Foundational Skills: Beyond subject-specific knowledge, we focus on developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and study techniques. These skills empower students to become independent and confident learners, ready for future challenges.
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Emotional Support During Learning: For many EOTAS students, academic progress is closely tied to emotional wellbeing. Our tutors work sensitively to encourage a positive attitude toward learning and help students overcome any fears or anxieties associated with their studies.
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Regular Progress Updates: Communication with parents and caregivers is key. We provide regular updates on the student’s progress and adapt learning plans as needed to ensure they stay on track and continue achieving their goals.
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Interactive and Engaging Teaching Methods: We prioritise creativity and engagement in our teaching, incorporating interactive methods such as visual aids, practical exercises, and hands-on activities to maintain interest and excitement about learning.